Sigma DP1, DP2 & DP3 Merrill Review & Comparison!

[@leojonkers3181]

I have all the Merrill camera's and I must say the DP2 is the best. Although the colors are better on the DP3. The DP1 is still very very good, but the lens is a little less. Processing is essential and not that easy I must say. But when you get it right, well there is no camera to compare it with.

[@BJEPhoto]

I didn't notice any difference between the three DP Merrill series except for the lens. It's possible that they refined the processing a little but unlikely. The whole series are meant to be a trio, not a linear progression. A tripod isn't a must, but advisable. The DP3 has a continuous burst like the others. Because the lens is slightly longer and focuses closer the battery life would theoretically be less - but again, not noticeably. The DP3 is my favourite.

[@DrWakey]

This Video was one of the reasons why i bought the dp2m, and i havent been disappointed :) It's really a great photography tool!

[@DripDripDrip69]

My left speaker likes this video.

[@BJEPhoto]

I've not used the first DP series but I've successfully used a Nikon flash set to Manual mode with the DP Merrill series.

[@crispin8888]

Thank you for making this video despite having to deal with those who whine.

[@RobinHoller]

I think that is the best review of the Merrills I've seen. And I can't agree more to your impressions and words. Btw a DP3M joined my DP1M some days ago ... :D A really nice combo! Thx for you effort and love you put into this vid!

[@justininfrance]

Thanks for the video Ben. Very interesting camera for those (few) of us who don't give a damn about wifi, tilting screen, 11 fps af, or high iso's, just the image quality. If only this sensor was in a half-decent camera, but as Sigma own the Foveon company I won't be holding my breath. Are you sure you wouldn't be better off with a Ricoh GR?

[@DerrenHodson]

Some excellent photos, i've just bought the DP1M, 2 and 3 the image quality is amazing! Great review by the way, i love Barcelona.

[@gregoryhamilton6161]

great review mate

[@BJEPhoto]

Thanks! I'm using a Nikon SB900 but mainly because I had it to hand; any flash capable of manual control should be great.

[@BJEPhoto]

The DP3 is pretty much the same as the other cameras apart from its longer lens. A tripod helps, as with any camera, but it's certainly not essential.

[@BJEPhoto]

Thanks, I'm inclined to agree but thought I'd try it. Actually, most people either don't notice, or don't care. Considering doing a street photography video course to explore the different techniques.

[@dedclownsRfunny]

Those images are incredible! Now I have to work out which one I want and can affoed

[@BJEPhoto]

The DP3 Merrill! Ironically they're almost as expensive now than they were then which is almost unheard of for a digital camera

[@dedclownsRfunny]

@@BJEPhoto dude I would love that one, but I can’t justify the price 😣 there’s not a lot in Australia of any type, and shipping adds at least $50

[@cibckwong]

dp3 is the latest, right? did dp3 get any improvement like buffer, battery life etc. and dp3 has continues burst? if i decide dp3 for instance, tripod is a must? thanks

[@Serenoj69]

LAndscapes do not move but have things moving in it. So if it is abit busy or windy, the 75 mm solution will not be sharper under those circumstances.

[@ttbirds1082]

Great video. How do you rate the Merrrils compared to the Quattros and the more recent Sigma Bayers purely on image quality if on a tripod?

[@BJEPhoto]

The Merrills were something really special, iconic. That wasn't captured in later cameras that attempted to please everyone. I'd personally use a pixel-shifted Pentax K1 but the Merrills are something truly different; the image quality at base ISO is superb, and different.

[@charlesleax7698]

Thanks for your nice Review, Ben.

[@jagatic]

Great review bought this now in 2017. Wonder what your shooting on these days?

[@BJEPhoto]

Thanks, now I use a Pentax K1; with pixel shift and the Samyang 135mm lens the image quality is just incredible, better than anything else outside medium format

[@jcollett69]

I guessing the hot shoe has been improved with the Merrill series. I have the DP1x and I cannot get the hot shoe to fire a remote trigger (Yongnuo 602), or a manual flash. I think the first DP series only accepts the Sigma branded flashes. Am I wrong?

[@Chris-ey7zy]

No

[@jcollett69]

Thanks Ben.

[@gordonblues843]

Ben you have all the best gear. I can't decide whether to get a DP1 or DP2. I hear the DP2 has a better lens, but I will probably appreciate the wider angle.

[@BJEPhoto]

Gordonblues I'd get the DP3 now!

[@gordonblues843]

Hadn't even considered that one. Why you say that?

[@BJEPhoto]

Gordonblues Better lens and you can stitch photos for a wide fov

[@gordonblues843]

ok I see, thanks for your replies. You are fast!

[@gordonblues843]

Lol. Oh dear. She hasn't left you has she?!!

[@norfolknonsense7578]

Thanks for the review this was very helpful. What flash and flash cord do you use in the video? Is it TTL compatible or did you use it just in manual mode?

[@durtcannon]

Im thinking to buy a merill or quattro, is the merill series better or? Sigma DP1 Quattro vs Sigma mereill dp1?

[@BJEPhoto]

Get a Merrill

[@durtcannon]

thanks, you are fast. are both cameras handeling files at the same speed in post?

[@stalif]

Hey buddy wonderful video. Can I ask what flash did you use connect via the wire when you were doing the flash photography? Thanks.

[@birdcage6288]

Hi Which flash are you using for the dp series? Please let me know ! Thanks!

[@unbroken1010]

ANY flash pretty much works

[@gordonblues843]

Well, Ben, I just ordered a K-3 ii. Still sorely tempted by a DP1 though. Do you think would outdo the K-3ii in pixel shift?

[@BJEPhoto]

Just seen this three years later! How did you enjoy the K-3 ii? I think at 100% at ISO 100 in natural light the DP1 Merrill sensor would outclass the Pentax. Outside of that, the Pentax would likely be better

[@gordonblues843]

@@BJEPhoto I still have the K-3 ii. Tbh the pixel shift is such an awkward workflow I've hardly ever used it and the quality does not seem massively better. I notice the price of used Merrills just keeps going up and up. I remember them on clearance about 7 years ago for about 300 Euros. Now they're going for 6 or 700 quid! I picked one up in a store once, but hated it for its clunky slowness. Regret not buying it. Every time I look at one of the files I am gobsmacked even today. Still I try to limit myself to two max 3 cameras at a time. I recently got an X100F and am about to get a Nikon 1 V3 for long stuff. The E-m5 ii keeps nagging at me too, telling me it'd be an ideal lightweight replacement for the K-3 ii.

[@BJEPhoto]

@@gordonblues843 You and me both! I'd assumed they'd drop in price as digital image quality continued to improve. But on a per-pixel level and in that small a package, I can't think of anything that beats them. I probably shouldn't have reviewed them so highly! I've heard that the X100F is lovely, how are you finding it? The Panasonic G9 is worth a look, too.

[@gordonblues843]

@@BJEPhoto Well I'll be controversial. I stil think the original X100 has a certain something. I think it's simplicity, purity about it, that makes it a joy to use. With each update they make it more and more sophisticated, and it seems like there's more and more stuff to get in the way and distract you. More custom functions, more dials, more options. I like a camera that has a view finder, exposure dials and a battery.

[@gordonblues843]

@@BJEPhoto If Sigma made a FF or MF Foveon camera... Wow!!!

[@chlky0001]

very good review and beautiful Photos

[@Hiromibear]

Love your photos!!

[@BlackCat820115]

Very good review!!i like it!

[@techeteri]

Lovely photos!

[@87solarsky]

Could you please also kindly upload some footage from the dp3m to give an idea what it looks like? thx so much.

[@stephanes.]

I like how you shoot people in the street! very efficient and no fear!

[@BJEPhoto]

Thanks, comes from a mindset of paying them a compliment by finding them interesting

[@BJEPhoto]

Thank you Robin!

[@BJEPhoto]

I've found the opposite to be true. Worth downloading a RAW file and having a play with it with Sigma's (terrible) software if you don't have an actual camera to hand.

[@davidsuggitt]

Crazy I love it!

[@Serenoj69]

Thanks for your reply, but no. I have looked up itterally hundreds of landscape pics with this cam and compared it to D800E, Pentax 645D but also the Olympus EM5 with 12-35 mm Panny lens. all these camera's produce natural colours, good dynamic range and tonality. They look all similar, but of course the first two have a lot more detail than the latter The DPxm's simply do not look similar and, to my taste, very unnatural. Sad, because it is stunning in IQ in other situations.

[@Serenoj69]

Well, everything is true to life until you do use it where it should shine: landscapes. I find virtually all of the landscape pics with a sky with clouds in it looking far from natural. I do not have such a cam, but I think it is lacking in dynamic range. So the Photog tries to retrieve higjlight detail which results in all sorts of artifact and odd colours. Might be Sigma's software too btw, which does a lot by itself which you cannot circumvent. A bit sad.

[@BJEPhoto]

Thanks!

[@unbroken1010]

I recently got one I'm hearing that there might be a dng firmware update can anybody confirm this also manual focus it's not smooth but it's accurate it's not like it's grinding but it definitely feels like it kind of goes in increments I'm curious if that's how everybody else feels or if maybe I got to have the lens looked at does anybody know if you can download the software from Sigma cuz I didn't get the CD in my box

[@BJEPhoto]

I don't know personally but hopefully someone else can answer; here on in the Sigma DP Merrill Facebook group

[@BJEPhoto]

Sigma DP1, DP2 & DP3 Merrill Comparison

[@Daniel_Fjäll]

The only thing I miss in this video is you wearing a decent microphone.

[@unbroken1010]

You still taking questions?

[@BJEPhoto]

Sure

[@unbroken1010]

@@BJEPhoto what are your impressions of the dp3 sensor verse sd Quattro sensor? Do you really find that much of a difference at that point? I think I'm trading in my DP 2 for the SD Quattro. The ability to do dng and that's 16 by 9 format seems very appealing. Maybe I keep the dp2 I'm not sure if I can afford it. the other focus is not that bad in daylight but in in low light is really bad. The manual focus I find a bit cumbersome I must be going by eye and the scale. It just doesn't seem that smooth.

[@BJEPhoto]

@@unbroken1010 I much prefer the SD Merrill sensor. It's unlike any other camera I've reviewed. The Quattro is just a compromise to make the camera more usable. There are lots of cameras that are better than the Quattro now but nothing quite like the Merrill in the narrow optimal conditions in which it shines. Keep it and get a Sony A6000, Nikon D600 or similiar. The Ricoh GR2 is also worth a look.

[@mendebil]

Enough with the stitching already! GOD!!!

[@BJEPhoto]

It makes sense - the DP3 Merrill in particular bests cameras that are far more expensive, heavier and larger because the per-pixel acuity is so good. And now that software like PTGui makes stitching images very easy, it's a no-brainer for incredible image quality on a budget.

[@emanemanresuresu]

looks a bit strange how you walk around in the streets like a maniac pointing your flash and camera "in ya face!" i think i would be scared if someone jumps around between people like that...

[@unbroken1010]

The batteries don't last you a few minutes... 😂 they're not that good but spares are cheap.

[@BJEPhoto]

True. If they made it now they could use external USBc power banks. Fingers crossed for full-frame Foveon.